The second and third epistles of John insist on the truth. The
second warns the faithful against the reception of those who do
not teach the doctrine of Christ, especially the truth respecting
the Person of Christ. The third encourages believers to receive
and help those who teach it. Accordingly they both (and the second
especially) lay stress on "the truth." -- The apostle loved this
elect lady, "in the truth"; as did also all those who had known
the truth, and that for the truth's sake. He wished her blessing
in truth and in love. He rejoiced that he had found some who were
her children walking in the truth. He desired that there should be
mutual love among Christians, but this was love, that they should
keep the commandments; for many deceivers were come into the
world. Now whosoever transgressed, and did not abide in the
doctrine of Christ, had not God. He ends his epistle, of which we
have given an almost complete summary, by exhorting this lady, in
case any one should come and not bring this doctrine, not to
receive him into our house, nor say to him, "God bless you, or be
with you," or "I salute you." For to do so would be to make
herself a partaker in the evil he was doing.

The false doctrine which was abroad at that moment was the
denial of the truth of Christ come in the flesh; but the apostle
says in a general way that, if any one transgressed and did not
abide in the doctrine of Christ, he had not God.

We learn several important things in this little epistle. The
mission of a man who went about preaching was never brought into
question, but the doctrine which he brought; if he brought sound
doctrine he was welcome.

A woman having the word -- as this epistle, for example -- was
capable of judging his doctrine, and responsible to do
so. Inexorable rigour was to be maintained, if the doctrine as to
the Person of Christ was touched. The door was to be shut against
whoever falsified it. They were not even to say to him, "I salute
you"; for they who did so became partakers of his evil work. It
would be to help on the deceits of Satan.

Moreover the semblance of love which does not maintain the
truth, but accommodates itself to that which is not the truth, is
not love according to God. It is the taking advantage of the name
of love in order to help on the seductions of Satan. In the last
days the test of true love is the maintenance of the truth. God
would have us love one another; but the Holy Ghost, by whose power
we receive this divine nature, and who pours the love of God into
our hearts is the Spirit of truth; and His office is to glorify
Christ. Therefore it is impossible that a love which can put up
with a doctrine that falsifies Christ, and which is indifferent to
it, can be of the Holy Ghost -- still less so, if such
indifference be set up as the proof of that love.

The doctrine of the reward and crown of glory, which the
labourer possesses in the fruits of his ministry, is presented in
a very strong light in verse 8. This second epistle puts
Christians on their guard against all that is equivocal with
respect to the Person of Christ; and exhorts to an unwavering
firmness on this point.